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France skipper Hugo Lloris offers support to Karim Benzema, Mathieu Valbuena

Reuters

Paris - France captain Hugo Lloris gave his support to Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena on Thursday but urged others to seize the chance to impress in their absence.

"Honestly we are all focused on these two big matches coming up. Things have been going very well and everyone is working to be ready," said Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Lloris when asked about the impact on the France squad of the sex tape blackmail affair in which Valbuena and Benzema have been caught up.

"All that is nothing to do with sport. We support Karim and Mathieu but we'll leave the legal authorities to deal with it all."

France coach Didier Deschamps left both players out of his squad for Friday's friendly against world champions Germany at the Stade de France and next Tuesday's match against England at Wembley.

In their absence, Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Manchester United's Anthony Martial are expected to team up with Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid in attack.

It will be up to them to impress and show that France can cope without two of their most important players -- only Lloris has played more games for France since the 2010 World Cup than the Real Madrid striker while Lyon playmaker Valbuena has been a fixture in the national set-up since Deschamps became coach in 2012.

"Whether it's Mathieu or Karim we are used to seeing them wear the jersey and raise the quality of the team. But we have talented young players who will get their chance to start or come on during the game," added Lloris.

Euro 2016 hosts France have had their preparations for these two glamour friendly games overshadowed by the affair which has seen Benzema charged with complicity to blackmail and conspiring to commit a criminal act in relation to a sex tape featuring Valbuena.

But Deschamps tried to avoid answering questions on the subject at his pre-match press conference at the Stade de France.

"I am calm, relaxed and concentrating on the games we have coming up. I have nothing particular to say," said Deschamps.

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